Biography and expertise
Biography
Meri Oakwood has degrees in Science (with first class Honours) from Macquarie University, Law (with first class Honours) from Southern Cross University and a PhD (in Science) from the Australian National University. Between 1997 and 2002, she tutored in ecology at the Australian National University (Canberra), lectured and tutored in biology and statistics at Charles Darwin University (Darwin) and lectured (Level B) in ecosystem management at the University of New England (Armidale). Meri was the proprietor of an environmental consultancy from 2001 to 2013, undertaking research projects for various government agencies in remote areas in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. In recent years, Meri has worked and volunteered in a wide range of law related roles and has experience in criminal law, victim's rights, family law, conveyancing and wills & estates. She has worked for the Mid North Coast Legal Centre and the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.
Meri's work contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals
Research
Meri has written one book on ecological management, a chapter in a reference book and numerous journal articles on research (in ecology). Her current research focus relates to law reform of laws that adversely impact children and animals.
Current Teaching (2022-2025):
Meri is an Associate Lecturer at Southern Cross University, NSW.
2025: Unit Assessor/Lecturer for Animal Law, Environmental Law, Property Principles, Criminal Procedure.
2024: Unit Assessor for Animal Law, Property Principles, Criminal Procedure, Civil Litigation and Procedure. Lecturer in Environmental Law.
2023: Unit Assessor for Environmental Law, Conveyancing Law, Property Principles; Tutor for Constitutional Law.
2022: Unit Assessor for: Conveyancing Law, Property Principles and Drugs, Crime and the Law.
Writer: Environmental Law, Property Principles, Animal Law.
Supervision
In environmental research, Meri has supervised a PhD student and an Hons student at UNE, also research assistants and volunteers. She has also organised and/or supervised tertiary student field trips in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.
Other: Current Professional Collaboration
Member of the National Working Group to End Physical Punishment of Australian Children.
Steering Committee Member for SCU Law Discipline's 'Children's Rights and the Law' Conference 2025.
Secretary of the Clarence River and Coffs Harbour Regional Law Society.
Links
Honours
Organisational affiliations
Education
BSc 1983-1986; Hons 1990-1991, Plant Ecology
Thesis: Lawful or Unlawful Correction: should the Defence of Lawful Correction be Abolished in Australia?